Chapter 3 - Corvus
A Scarlett Steam engine whistled as a few students began to get on after saying their farewells.
Arth stared at the cheerful and excited expressions all around him with a distant look while holding a basket in his arms.
"Arthur, don't forget to brush your teeth and shower everyday, okay?"
"Mm."
"I've prepared you and extra set of robes but if one of them ever get ripped, send an owl to me right away!"
"Mmm."
"The meals at Hogwarts are very well prepared, but if you feel homesick, don't hesitate to ask and I'll whip up a good meal for you-"
"Honey, I think you are going overboard-"
"Hah! Just because you don't care about my son doesn't mean I don't!"
"Oi, I love my son as well, I just think you are being paranoid-"
"Maybe this was a bad idea and it would be better if we homeschooled him-"
"Honey- HONEY! Calm down- a bit- Arth! Just head on to the train first- I'll handle- your mother-"
Arth gave a slight nod before heading off while rolling his trunk onto the train. His family, it seemed, had arrived at the station early and there were barely anyone was in the train. Arth glanced around the compartments before choosing one in the back. He didn't want to be interrupted by an occasional head every minute.
He placed his trunk in the corner of the compartment and placed his basket beside him before sitting down. He took out a book from his bag and started to read.
The excited chittering from the surrounding students got louder and louder as time saw by. More heads popped in to see if the compartment was empty before leaving. Soon, the train let out a loud whistle before beginning to move.
The door slid open and a girl entered.
"Do you mind if I sit here?" She asked.
"Mm."
Arth, without looking up from his book, nodded his head and the girl sat down. The silence in the compartment continued as Arth read his book while the girl watched him.
The girl was the first to break the silence.
"You aren't very social are you?"
Arth simply ignored her and continued to read on.
"Is the book that interesting? What is it about?"
"Different species of wolves." Replied Arth without looking up.
"Do they mention werewolves in that book?"
"Page one hundred twenty six."
"You have a good memory don't you?"
"Perhaps."
"Why are you so antisocial? Is talking to people that horrible?"
"Is it that hard to know when someone doesn't want to talk?"
The girl pouted before snatching Arth's book away, causing him to raise an eyebrow. For the first time since she had arrived, he saw what the girl looked like.
She had blonde hair and blue eyes that were filled with an energy that was waiting to burst. She wore a satisfied smirk on her face while holding Arth's book teasingly against her chest.
"There we go. You finally looked at me. It's rude to not look at someone when talking."
"Will you give me back my book?"
"Hmmm, maybe I will? Maybe I won't?"
Arth sighed. "Fine, you win. Let's talk."
The girl let out a giggle before lending out her hand. "Daphne Greengrass, first year. A Pureblood."
Arth reluctantly gave her his hand. "Arthur Kingscrown, first year. Pureblood."
"Ooh! What a coincidence! I thought for sure you were a second or third year with how much you loved books! Can I call you Arth? Imma call you Arth. What house do you think you are going to be, Arth?"
Arth furrowed his brows deep in thought.
"My Dad was in Gryffindor while my Mom was in Ravenclaw, so I suppose I'll be in one of those two."
"You don't have a preferred house?"
"I don't really care you see."
"That's nice," said Daphne with a look that clearly expressed that it was not nice. "I wanna be in Slytherin! Both my parents were also in Slytherin as well so I reckon I have a good chance."
"Cool," replied Arth with a look that expressed his boredom. "Can I have my book now?"
"Nope~"
The door slid open and a smiling, dimpled woman asked them, "Anything off the cart, dears?"
Arth shook hues head side to side quietly while Daphne eagerly approached the cart.
"I'll take a Chocolate Frog, a Bettie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, Drooble's Best
Blowing Gum, and some Chocolate Frogs please."
Arth saw Daphne hand the woman some silver Sickles before bringing back an entire assortment of treats to her seat. She noticed his lingering gaze on her and giggled.
"Do you want a bite?"
Arth shrugged. "Not really, I ate before coming here so I'm not that hungry."
"Hmmm~" Daphne asked him teasingly, "are you sure~ I can give you a bite~"
Arth rolled his eyes. "Just give me my book back."
"No can do~"
Arth sighed and was about to ask her again when her heard a crack. Arth frowned before immediately turning towards his basket. Daphne watched on while chewing a piece of gum.
He quickly took off the warm blanket on top and observed the black egg. A very thin crack had appeared on the top of the egg.
"What is it?" Asked Daphne seeming very interested in the egg. "It looks like an egg of some sorts, what kinda animal is it? And owl?"
"I don't know. My Dad brought it from America as a gift."
"Ooh! It's hatching."
The two of them watched as the little black egg started to twitch and move. The fine cracks slowly grew bigger and distinct.
Arth and Daphne held their breaths as waited, their heads side by side waiting for the egg to finally hatch.
Crack.
The eggshell had finally gave away and a small black beak pierced the shell. The beak was still for a moment before hiding back into the shell.
"Hey Arth, what was that?" Asked Daphne with a quiet voice.
"I dunno. It seemed like a raven to me."
"Do you mean a crow?"
"Whatever you want to call it."
The bird peaked its beak out of the shell once more, causing the two of them to fall silent. With a cute little peep, the baby bird began to shove its head past the shell and into the outside world.
The small fluffy black head of a bird was quiet for a moment before it chirped at Arth.
"Oh my god! It's adorable!"
"It really is."
"What are you going to name it, Arth?" Asked Daphne, unable to tear her gaze away from the bird.
"Hmmm, I don't really know," said Arth deep in thought. "How about Corvus?"